You may recognize this photo from last weeks post, the only difference is the title. I found I wasn’t ready to move on from this topic and I missed linking a wonderful song we sing at church that shares this message. Please take a moment to listen to Cody Carnes Firm Foundation (He Won’t).

His lyric, when everything around me is shaken, strikes a chord with me even more so than last week. So, here I am working through my propensity to get all worked up with anxiety from the overwhelming weight of undecided decisions. Forcing my focus back to my firm foundation and allowing my faith to free me from the feeling of free-falling. (Who doesn’t love a surprise appearance of an alliteration.)

I encourage you to read the scriptures referenced in my last post: Foundational Living. Like most lessons God teaches us, we need constant reminders and often need to return to learn the lesson we thought we were proficient in, a second, third, or fourth time. You get the idea.

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The New King James Version puts it this way: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” God’s position is higher. His view of our situation is clearer.

In my overwhelm I need His vision, I need His thoughts.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s look at how someone, Ahaz, who was quaking in his boots was admonished.

When it became known to the house of David that Aram had occupied Ephraim, the heart of Ahaz and the hearts of his people trembled like trees of a forest shaking in the wind.

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬, ‭9b‬ ‭CSB‬‬

What happened between these verses? Isaiah was sent to him with a message: “Calm down and be quiet. Don’t be afraid or cowardly because of these two smoldering sticks…”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7‬:‭4‬)

The lesson to me is clear; without faith, without my Rock to stand on, I would fall into my anxiety.

But I will not fall.

I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth.

He will not let you fall. Your Protector will not fall asleep.

The Lord will protect you as you come and go, both now and forever!
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

So, I will make the daunting decisions and I will survive this turmoil of emotions. Because when the rains come and the winds blow, my house is built on Jesus, the rock that is higher than I.

I pray that as you experience turbulent times, you will look to Jesus and stand firm. And if you find yourself slipping from that rock, grab hands with someone who has a better footing.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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